Understanding when to harvest beets is key to enjoying this nutritious crop. Beets are easy to cultivate, making them a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, these delicious roots are also low in calories and grow quickly from seeds, needing just fertile soil and regular watering, especially during dry spells.
Not only are beets tasty, but they also come in a variety of colors, including deep purple, orange, yellow, white, and red with white rings. We grow beets not only for their culinary versatility but also for their striking appearance in the garden or containers, and their vibrant leaves are both beautiful and edible.
To fully enjoy the flavors of beets, it’s vital to know the right time to harvest them. If picked too early, you’ll have small but still tasty beets, while leaving them too long in the ground can result in tough, woody roots. Follow this guide to ensure a successful harvest.
“From earthy to sweet, the flavors of beets are sure to please. This cool-weather root crop is easy to grow and versatile, proving delicious and nutritious from its rich greens to its round or oblong roots,” says Kelly Funk, President of Park Seed. “Typically reddish-purple, they also come in white, golden-yellow, or even rainbow varieties like the popular Rainbow Mix. Beets are great for canning and pickling (smaller ones are best for this), eating raw, and much more!”
Timing Your Beet Harvest
Depending on when you sow your beets, you can harvest them from early summer to mid-fall. Stagger planting times and choose different varieties to ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the season.
“Beets are quite straightforward to harvest, and you can pick them at various sizes based on your cooking needs!” says Shannie McCabe from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
“I usually plant my beets densely, allowing them to grow a bit crowded. I harvest baby or midsize beets when they reach about 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) in diameter, allowing the remaining beets to grow larger, which I harvest when they reach up to 6 inches (15cm) or more in diameter.”
Harvesting Beet Leaves
The tender, vibrant leaves of beets are excellent in salads and stir-fries. The larger leaves can be cooked similarly to spinach and are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Start by harvesting the outer leaves first.
“Pick the leaves when they’re about 4-6 inches (10-15cm) tall,” advises Kelly Funk, President of Park Seed. “Avoid taking more than two leaves from each plant to keep it healthy, leaving at least 1 inch (2.5cm) of leaf on the root. They’re delicious in salads!”
Harvesting Globe Beet Varieties
Popular globe beet varieties, including striped Di Chioggia, Avenger, and Sangria, typically mature in about 8-10 weeks.
“Beets are usually ready to harvest when their tops look full-sized, and the roots are nicely rounded. You can check by pulling a few roots to see if they’re ready. Gently pull them by the base of the tops; if they resist, use a pitchfork, inserting it far enough from the roots to avoid puncturing them,” advises Emily Pence, Seeds Field Coordinator at Fedco Seeds, Inc.
Harvesting Cylindra Beets
Cylindra beets, also known as Formanova beets, are long and cylindrical. They offer the same earthy flavor and color variety as globe beets and are highly productive, making them perfect for small spaces. Their shape also makes them easy to slice evenly, which is great for pickling and preserving. These beets take about 20 weeks to mature fully.
Storing Harvested Beets
“Beet roots and greens can stay in your garden for two to three weeks after they’re mature. Once harvested, the roots can last for about a month if stored near freezing in a humid environment to prevent wilting,” explains Kelly Funk, President of Park Seed.
How to Tell When Beets are Ready
You can tell when beets are ready for harvest by observing how much of their tops protrude above the soil. Simply move the mulch or soil away from the tops; if they’re an inch or more above the ground, they’re ready. However, you can also harvest them earlier for a sweeter flavor, though they may lack the size you desire.
